Scottish Croquet Association

20+ Tournament 2018

28 July 2018, Meadows

Having enjoyed almost two months of exceptional sunshine, the rain returned the day before the 20+. Saturday 28 July was a wet morning and the rain so heavy as to threaten abandonment of the competition. On the manager's insistence however, two rounds were completed, the showers abated and by the end of round five the puddles had disappeared.

The six opponents played each other (American Block - Appleton) using the standard format for Short Croquet, with bisques for each player. The time limit was set at 70 minutes per game with recognised concluding turns to determine a winner. Nine went to time, one of which required a golden hoop and bisques were restored. By exception the games counted for handicap cards at 5 points. Also by exception a new AC player was allowed to enter, even though the Handicap Committee, after the Summer Weekend, had reduced Stefan Colling's handicap to 16; all others ranged from 20 to 24.

Everyone enjoyed varying success, so that by the fifth round Rachel was leading with three wins, followed by George, Michele, Peter and Stefan each on two wins. Michele and Stefan won, but Rachel lost to George. By a majority vote of the spectators, these four 3-game winners were invited to a peg shoot-out from corner 1. The winner was Stefan Colling, who also had the best hoop difference.

For a change there were more spectators than players, including Stefan's relatives, Chris Martin and family, Rosemary SR, and the 2017 winner Lorna Dewar who was able to make the presentation. Kevin Wright kindly assisted Roger Binks in managing the event.

Roger Binks

Results